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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
Japan's first steak house is famed for its superb, hand-fed Kobe beef from a single farm in the nearby city of Sanda. The melt-in-your-mouth sumiyaki (charcoal-broiled) steak is worth its weight in yen and is only served with mustard and pepper. (Don't even think about asking for other condiments.) The dining room's dark-wood paneling and lovely chandelier give it a European air. Be prepared to spend some yen; main courses are phenomenally expensive.
2--15--18 Nakayamate-dori, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, 650-0004, Japan
Known For
- The finest Kobe beef steaks around
- Decadent multicourse meals
- One of the most famous steak houses in Japan
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$$ | Kita-ku |
The city's premier hotel restaurant serves extremely good French food. The elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, seasonal menus, and extensive wine list make La Baie an excellent choice when you're in the mood for European-style fare. With its high ceiling, 18th-century paintings, and dark-wood accents, the interior is impressive and the service is impeccable. The weekday lunch courses are a good way to sample some of the best French cuisine in Osaka.
2--5--25 Umeda, Osaka, Osaka-fu, 530-0001, Japan
Known For
- Impressive list of French wines
- Dining room feels like 19th century Europe
- Excellent table-side service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$$ | Chuo-ku |
If there is one food Osaka is known for, it is okonomiyaki, a savory pancake that can be filled with vegetables, meat, or seafood. Mizuno, opened in 1945, is one of the city's best and oldest places to try this hearty specialty. Mizuno's okonomiyaki are light and fluffy, using a variety of ingredients delivered from Osaka's Kuromon Market. Sitting at the long teppan counter grill you can watch as the chef whips up a hearty taste of Osaka before your eyes. Long lines form around lunch and dinnertime, but move rather quickly.
1--4--15 Dotombori, Osaka, Osaka-fu, 542-0071, Japan
Known For
- Hearty and delicious Osaka fare
- Locally sourced ingredients
- Long lines, but worth the wait
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
At this elegant dining room, the excellent Kobe beef is sliced thin and cooked before you on a teppanyaki grill along with fresh vegetables and served with pepper, mustard, and soy sauce for dipping. Wakkoqu uses meat from three-year-old cows that have never been bred, which is said to be the reason for its unbelievable tenderness. Lunch set menus are available until 3pm.
1--22--13 Naka-yamate-dori, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, 650-0002, Japan
Known For
- Excellent service
- Delicious lunch sets that don't break the bank
- Meals cooked right in front of you
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
With a relaxed atmosphere, A-1 is known for serving thick slices of Kobe beef. The teppanyaki steak (broiled on a hot plate) is cooked in a marinade of spices, wine, and soy and served with charcoal-grilled vegetables and crisp garlic potatoes. The "small" version is enough to fill you up. Four branches are scattered about town, but the main one is conveniently west of Hankyu San-no-miya Station, across from the B-Kobe hotel.
2--2--9 Shimoyamate-dori, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, 650-0011, Japan
Known For
- The best deal on Kobe beef in town
- Where the locals go for a good steak
- Reservations recommended
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Central Nara |
Pungent nara-zuke will lure you into this well-known shop and adjoining restaurant. Inside, white-capped prep cooks busily prepare packages of pickles that you can try with cha-gayu (green-tea porridge) or a meal of crispy tempura. The set menus are on display, making ordering simple. This is a good place to escape the crowds on Higashi-muki Dori, the main shopping street. Nara Kintetsu Station and Nara Koen are within a five-minute walk.
5 Higashimuki-minamimachi, Nara-shi, Nara-ken, 630-8216, Japan
Known For
- An affordable place to try Nara specialties
- Light, flavorful local cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon
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$$ | Kita-ku |
It may look like a hole-in-the-wall from the outside, but this tiny cash-only restaurant serves up some of Osaka's finest akashi-yaki, a much fluffier and more delicate take on the city's famous grilled octopus. The staff are friendly and helpful. In addition to akashi-yaki, the shop also serves up excellent gyoza (fried meat-filled dumplings) and ika-yaki (grilled squid). It also carries a good selection of local sake.
1--3--23 Dojima, Osaka, Osaka-fu, 530-003, Japan
Known For
- Melt-in-your-mouth akashi-yaki
- Broad range of local sake
- Cozy, rustic atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
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$$ | Chuo-ku |
In the basement of Kita-Shinichi's Aspa (Takagawa Umeda) Building, the hip, low-ceilinged Bat-ten Yokato serves a wide selection of very good yakitori (skewered meat and vegetables) in a fun, cozy atmosphere. Sitting at the long bar, you can watch the cooks work and call out requests. In addition to the quality of the food, the fact that the staff is obviously having a good time makes this an excellent place to try one of the most popular foods in Japan.
1--11--24 Kita-shinichi, Osaka, Osaka-fu, 540-0023, Japan
Known For
- Entertaining open kitchen
- Yakitori grilled to perfection
- Specially sourced Hakata chicken
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch, Reservations not accepted
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$$ | Chuo-ku |
This lively café offers above average French cuisine that you can enjoy on an outdoor terrace—a true rarity in Japan. The menu covers all the bases, ranging from couscous to bouillabaisse. Midway up the hill on Kitano-zaka, it's great for people-watching and is a good stop while cruising the Kitano district. Lunch and dinner sets are reasonably priced.
1--7--21 Yamamoto-dori, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, 650-0003, Japan
Known For
- Some of the best terrace seating in Kobe
- Delightful service
- Quality and fairly affordable lunch sets
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$$ | Chuo-ku |
Housed in the former Kobe Union Church, this café exemplifies Kobe's relaxed beauty. High ceilings, arched windows, and white walls give the dining room a bright, airy feel. It's the perfect place to take a rest from exploring the Kitano neighborhood. The kitchen serves tasty salads and sandwiches, and the bread is baked fresh next door.
4--6--15 Ikuta-cho, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, 651-0092, Japan
Known For
- Beautiful decor
- Excellent baked goods
- Good sandwiches and salads for a light lunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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Located on a quiet backstreet just a short walk south of Horyu-ji's Great Eastern Gate, this low-key yet stylish café offers delicious lunch sets, including very local specialties such as tatsuta-age (a type of fried chicken) and deep-fried ofu (steamed wheat gluten). The café also has its own woodwork studio and shop, with a number of robot-themed wooden toys on display.
Horyuji 2-chome 1--25, Nara-shi, Nara-ken, Japan
Known For
- Unusual delicacies
- Fresh local produce
- Friendly vibe and peaceful atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Thurs.
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$ | Chuo-ku |
A collaboration between a local development group and Kobe farmers, Farmstand serves fresh deli-plates and café fare. Meals are mostly vegetarian, and in the afternoon it is a great place for coffee and dessert.
1--7--15 Yamato-dori, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, 650–0003, Japan
Known For
- Fresh, organic meals
- Flavorful desserts
- Supports local small farms
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$$ | |
Perfect for a romantic dinner overlooking the lights of Kobe, Fusha serves up delicious French-inspired European dishes in a relaxing, country-chic setting. The restaurant requires a 20-minute taxi ride from Shin-Kobe or Sannomiya Station, but offers a stunning nighttime view of the city and harbor from the candlelit outdoor tables. Although the food is good, the view and atmosphere are the real draws, so be sure to reserve a table with a good view of the city.
1 Karasuharacho, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, 652-0001, Japan
Known For
- Panoramic views of the city below
- Romantic dinners
- European-style multicourse dinners
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Mon. twice-monthly, Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
Dining at the Swissôtel's flagship restaurant is an elegant escape from the crowds of Osaka. The seasonal kaiseki dinners are presented with exquisite attention to detail, bringing out the flavor of each ingredient. The restaurant offers separate seating at the sushi bar, tempura counter, and even four private rooms. Choose from one of the seasonal set menus, or put your dinner in the hands of the skilled chefs. The staff are also happy to serve Kobe beef from Minami, the hotel's teppanyaki restaurant.
5--1--60 Namba, Osaka, Osaka-fu, 542-0076, Japan
Known For
- Seasonal set menus
- A relaxed escape from the bustle of Osaka
- Impeccable service
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$$ | Nara-machi |
This eatery's kamitsumichi bento box, with a selection of sashimi, fried shrimp, tofu, vegetables, and homemade plum liqueur, is a bargain. Harishin is traditional and quite rustic. You sit in either a large tatami room overlooking a garden or around a large irori (hearth).
15 Nakashinya-cho, Nara-shi, Nara-ken, 630-8333, Japan
Known For
- Relaxing setting
- Traditional, Naramachi atmosphere
- Fresh, local foods
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations essential
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$$ | Nara-machi |
At Hiraso you can try kakinoha-zushi, sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves. What's more, you can take it away in a nicely wrapped wooden box for a satisfying lunch in Nara Park. Another featured delicacy is kakisuga, dried persimmon dusted with kudzu (flour made from the East Asian kudzu vine) or arrowroot powder and cooked tempura style. Most set menus include green-tea porridge, which is usually made with mushrooms or seasonal vegetables. Hiraso has tables and chairs, but the tatami alcoves are more intimate.
30--1 Imamikado-cho, Nara-shi, Nara-ken, 630-8374, Japan
Known For
- The best place to get food for a picnic in the park
- Unique, affordable lunches
- Cozy atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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Kobe has many excellent bakeries, but this one, a Kobe institution since 1946 with a branch just west of San-no-miya Station, is notable for its fine selection of Japanese-style pastries and breads. Among its most popular items are the kare-pan (curry bread); crispy donut-like snacks filled with a mild curry sauce. Or try the kureemu-pan (cream bread), a much sweeter cream-stuffed alternative.
2-chome 1--14 Kitanagasadori, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, Japan
Known For
- Delicious Japanese-style breads
- Fresh and affordable
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$$$ | Chuo-ku |
The most famous restaurant on Dotombori-dori—the enormous mechanical crab is a local landmark—Kani Doraku has fine crab dishes at reasonable prices. The lunch set menu includes large portions of crab; dinner is more expensive ¥6,000. If you prefer a quick snack, a stand outside sells crab legs. An English-language menu is available. Reserve a table on weekends.
1--6--18 Dotombori, Osaka, Osaka-fu, 542-0077, Japan
Known For
- One of Osaka's best-known restaurants
- Mountains of crab
- Take-out crab legs
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
There's no better place to try Osaka's kappo-ryori (a more intimate, less formal version of kaiseki-ryori) than the restaurant that started the trend. Chef and owner Osamu Ueno scours the markets daily to find the best ingredients for dinner each evening. The menu here is a constantly rotating selection of à la carte items, all superb. If you're unsure about what to order, simply leave it up to the chef for a delightful dinner. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff, with counter seating and two private rooms for small groups.
1--7--7 Dotonbori, Osaka, Osaka-fu, 542-0076, Japan
Known For
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Refined setting
- Flavorful multicourse meals
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations essential
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$ | Chuo-ku |
Even among Kobe's many excellent bakeries, Le Dimanche stands out. The owners bake some of the city's best artisanal bread, seamlessly integrating Japanese and European elements. Unique specialties include the renkon (lotus root) tartine, crème brûlée croissant, and signature viennois aux airelles (Viennese cranberry roll). The second-floor café is bright and airy, with rustic hardwood floors and tables. It's the perfect spot for a light snack while browsing the many boutiques along Tor Road.
3-12-16 Kitanagasa-dori, Kobe, Hyogo-ken, 650-0012, Japan
Known For
- A stunning array of pastries
- Light and tasty breakfasts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, No credit cards